Norris McWhirter

Norris Dewar McWhirter, CBE (August 12, 1925 - April 19, 2004) was a writer, right wing political activist and television presenter. He and his twin brother, Ross McWhirter, were known internationally for the Guinness Book of Records, a book they wrote and annually updated together (until Ross' 1975 assassination, after which Norris continued alone) between 1955 and 1985.

Political activity

He was an active Conservative in the early 1960s and fought, unsuccessfully, to recapture Orpington in the 1964 general election after its loss to the Liberals in the 1962 by-election.

Related Topics:
Conservative - 1960s - Orpington - 1964 - Liberals - 1962 - By-election

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Both he and his brother held right-wing views on topics such as immigration, Rhodesia, South Africa, British membership of the European Economic Community and Northern Ireland. Always vigorous campaigners for their version of the liberty of the individual, they founded the "National Association for Freedom", later "The Freedom Association", in the 1970s. This organisation initiated legal challenges against the trade union movement in the U.K., CND and the E.E.C. in Brussels.

Related Topics:
Right-wing - Rhodesia - South Africa - European Economic Community - Northern Ireland - The Freedom Association - 1970s - Trade union - CND

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Ross McWhirter was a critic of British policy in Northern Ireland, and called for a "tougher" response by the British army to Irish republican terrorism and stronger restrictions on the Irish community living in Britain. His offer of £50,000 for information leading to the conviction of the IRA bombers active in London led to his assassination by the Provisional IRA in 1975.

Related Topics:
Ross McWhirter - Northern Ireland - Terrorism - Provisional IRA - 1975

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